making up the party, The trip across takes some time, as it is fully ten miles, if not more. | We had to call at the flagship Olympia to enable the Consul to send his card on board and get permission to land. The request was granted immediately, Admiral Dewey proving himself to be a gentleman of the first water. The distance from the shore (Cavite) to the ships is about a mile, and on the way one passes the relics of the Spanish men-of-war, simply masts and fannels appearing above water, although in one ship we counted five guns not submerged but of course
now of no use.
"We all went in a body on shore, noticing especially the rebel flag flying everywhere. An enterprising firm has a store here where we found several American soldiers busily buying necessaries for their messes, besides changing gold dollars into the coin of the country.
"Further along we came to the arsenal, where we saw several hundred Spanish soldiers, prisoners, looking through the barred windows of this low building clamouring for bread and cigarettes. Then we did what we all do when we go to the Zoological Gardens in London, viz., bought several dollars' worth of packets of native ciga- rettes and little rolls of bread and threw them
Of course
through the bars to these poor chaps, who fought like so many wild beasts. When they got noisy a nigger who perhaps some few weeks before was bending the knee to them would open the door and belabour them with a heavy stick to keep them quiet, they not daring to retaliate. I saw this with my own eyes. there are American sentries on duty, and I asked one of them why this was so, and he told me that the prisoners I saw were those captured by the rebels themselves and that they were being fed by the rebels, the Americans hac- ing nothing to do with them. He told me also that they were fed only twice a day on rice and water, barely sufficient to keep body and son together, so no wonder they clamoured round us for food. I saw a party of about 20 of them out for an airing in charge of a nigger with a loaded musket. It is really very sad to see these white men being lorded over thus by an aborigine.
"The natives have become too elated since the Americans came, and now think they are going to have a republic to themselves, when the Americans will quietly sail away home, but they are greatly mistaken. They will find it a different task fighting an American to fighting a Spaniard."
THE AMERICAN TROOPS AT
CAVITE.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT WITH THE AMERICAN FLEET.]
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
Manila, 3rd July. The troops have arrived nearly 3,000 strong landed at Cavite, and taken up quarters at the Navy Yard and Fort St. Philip. All the men were on shore by six o'clock last night, Satur day, July 2nd. They arrived in the late after- noon of June 30th. The following day was occupied mostly by conferences between Ad- miral Dewey and General Andersen and in making preparations on shore for the coming of the troops. A few battalions were landed late Friday afternoon, the work was continued all day Saturday and by darkness the entire force was off the ships. Not a single accident marred the undertaking, there was no unusual confusion, and, considering_that the situation was entirely new to the officers of the army corps, the landing was carried through most successfully, Although four-fifths of the soldiers are enlisted from the State Militia or National Guard of Oregon and California, they look like bardy trained warriors and suited to a campaign against the Spaniards in the Philippines. They have an earnest business. like way about them that impresses all who watch their movements.
14
!
His staff is quartered mostly in the sane building.
There has been great excitement in Cavite ever since the arrival of the troops. Thousands of natives have flocked to see them. The large open space in front of the Navy Yard and Fort St. Philip is being used as an exercise and parade ground. On this gather in leisure hours squads of soldiers either surronuding natives and questioning them carefully about the situation-for many of the Americans speak Spanish-or answering the questions of natives who gather around in large numbers.
THE GERMANS IN MANILA BAY.
THE GERMAN ADMIRAL AND ADMIRAL DEWEY,
THE AMERICANS ANXIOUS TO MEET THE SPANISH RELIEF SQUADRON.
[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT WITH THE AMERICAN FLEET.]
Manila Bay, 10th July. The attitude of the Germans still continues
the chief subject of discussion, despite the presence of troops. In fact the soldiers are as indignant as the sailors over the German de- monstration, and loudest among those who condemn are the men of German blood or
descent. All sorts of stories are rife about the
|
[July 16, 1898. immeasureably with the United States, but destroy all her chances of having any say or influence in the disposal of the Philippines if they become the property of the United States.
The opinions I have expressed above are founded on careful interviews with leading American, English, German, French, and other authorities who are accessible and do not hesitate to express their views provided their names will not be used.
Coming now to live news, the most important incident of several weeks has just transpired at Subig Bay. The insurgents have been for some time capturing places in the vicinity of Subig. A few days ago they took the last. village on the bay, causing the Spanish soldiers and residents in the neighbourhood to make. their escape to Grande island at the entrance to Subig.
In the meantime a Spanish steamer of about 400 tous, the Philippinas, put into Subig for refuge. While there the native crew killed the Spanish officers and handed the boat over to the local rebel leader. He equipped an ex- pedition to attack the island, but seeing a Ger- man man-of-war, the Irene, in the bay near the island he concluded to come into Munila Bay, report to Aguinaldo and get reinforcements for the capture of Grande island. Owing to some fear of misunderstanding with the Ger and the white one raised as he left Subig. man warship. the insurgent flag was lowered
The
When the report was made to Aguinaldo. he in turn informed Admiral Dewey. The Admiral relations of the Germans and Spaniards, but the Germans emphatically deny that they have in saw the opportunity to get the Spaniards out any way given assistance to the Spaniards. One of Subig Bay, which next to Manila is the most feature of the situation attracts the attention important point on the coast of Luzon. Early of those who are watching the political side of Thursday evening, July 7, he ordered the it and that is the diplomacy shown by Admiral Raleigh and Concord to proceed with all dis- Dewey. He is managing the blockade with patch to Subig, capture the island and with no signs of marked skill, using diplomatic as well as naval garrison, and return expedients. Of all men in the fleet, he probabiy Spanish strength left in the bay. They ar
rived there at 8 a m., found that the German worries the least over the conduct of the Germans. He knows and watches everything vessel had left, and after shelling some build. they do and yet his relations with the German ings and lesser points demanded and obtained Admiral seem most agreeable. It is reported the unconditional surrender of the Spanish on excellent authority that the German Ad- forces, numbering 500 with as many rifles, miral has informed Admiral Dewey that he 40,000 rounds of ammunition, and one 37
millimeter Hotchkiss rapid fire gun. has intended in no way to give offence to
Commander was Lieutenant Colonel Rio. America and his movements are not in the least to be construed as a demoustration,
There were aside from the garrison about 100 Admiral Dewey is also thought to have told
women, children, and nou-combatants. The be better if matters were managed a little apon the Raleigh, but the prisoners were turned the German Admiral that perchance it would captured guns and ammunition were loaded
differently. Everybody is expecting to see an
over to Aguinaldo to look after under assurances end in the near future to all this German of proper care. They remain the Admiral's business," whether it is required by orders prisoners, but as he has no facilities for caring from Washington and Berlu or by the in-
for them he leaves them to the insurgents under dependent action of the Admirals themselves.proper safeguards. Captain Coghlan of the One thing is certain-Dewey's backbone is Raleigh condnoted the expedition assisted by strong and it needs no strengthening, but when Captain Walker of the Concord, Lieutenant the Monterey arrives in a few days there will be Rodman of the Raleigh and Ensign Napier of less fooling of the kind that irritates and the Concord conducted the nego iations for disturbs. She will be followed in a reasonable surrender. time by the Minadnock and then, if necessary, Dewey will be in a position to say to any dest that comes to Manila that he controls the Bay and proposes to have the going and coming of ships reguiated by rules that will not be misunderstood.
To sum up the German situation, it is about as follows: The large German fleet here has assembled by orders from Berlin and not by advice of Admiral von Diedrichs. The German vessels here are acting in other words chiefly on orders from the home Government. This does not in any degree excuse what happ ns, but it means that the German Admiral will not dare undertake any serious step without consulting Berlin. His ships have done and are doing some rash and impertinent things, but as long as they are not caught in flagrante delicto there is no probability of any actual unpleasantness between Admiral Dewey and Admiral von Diedrichs. There are stories upon stories told of peculiar conduct on the part of the Germans bat it is, difficult to prove them. They are being watched and if any of these allegations prove facts, explanations may be demanded of more than passing nature. What surprises everyone here is Germany's failure to
The American squadron, with the Baltimore returned and the Charleston added, together with the troopships Peking. Sydney, and Australia still here, presents a most imposing appearance and nearly fills up the anchorage off
Cavite.
There is absolutely no fear whatever here of the Spanish fleet which is reported as coming on. Every ship is in splendid trim, the men are in the pink of condition and actually hope that the Spaniards will come. The powerful Monterey and the none the less powerful Minad- nock will be here before be Spanish reinforce- ments can possibly arrive. With them Admiral Dewey could not only destroy his adversaries as they are, but a still larger squadron if it should come.
The Boston leaves in a few days to meet General Green and the second expedition, which is accompanied by the Monterey. They will arrive here about the eighteenth or possibly before, but they are not expected much prior to
that.
The Regulars of the 14th U.S. Infantry are located at the head of the Navy Yard near the Arsenal Further dowu are the officers and men Just outside at
1st California Regiment of Volunteers.
Cavite from the Yard and in Fort St. Philip are the Oregon forces, the 2nd Regiment of Volunteers.
*General Andersen has made his head quarters houses of the Navy Yard. alexed stadfeses oli fias
in one of Jean hasi
than good and practically outting her own throat. The Americans will never for give the Germans for their active friendship to Spain and meddlesome attitude in the Philippines. It will not only hurt their trade
|
|
The captured Leyte is proving almost as useful as the Callao and is used every day for all kinds of purposes. She has been especially use. ful since the troops arrived. The Zafiro is being
having her bottom cleaned. This will give her two knots more speed as a despatch boat. The McCulloch has just taken Lient. McCaire, of General Andersen's staff, Lieut. Calkins of the Olympio, and a few other army officers for a
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.